Abstract: Methanol is primarily metabolized by oxidation to formaldehyde and then to formate. These processes are accompanied by formation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. This paper reports data on the effect of methanol on antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in lymphoid organs such as the spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and bone marrow of rats. Male Wistar albino rats were intoxicated with methanol ( 2.37 g/kg b.w intraperitoneally) for detecting toxicity levels for one day, 15 d and 30 d, respectively. Administration of methanol at 15 and 30 d significantly (p<0.05) increased lipid peroxidation and decreased the enzymatic (superoxide
dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione and vitamin C) in lymphoid organs. However, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the acute methanol exposed group animals were found to be significantly ( p<0.05) increased. In one day methanol intoxication, the levels of free radicals initially increased, and to remove these free radicals, antioxidants levels were elevated, which generally prevented oxidative cell damage. But in longer periods of intoxication, when the generation of reactive free radicals overwhelmed the antioxidant defense, lipid peroxidation increased. Further, decreased antioxidants in 15 and 30 d methanol intoxication may have been due to overutilization of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants to scavenge the products of lipid peroxidation. In addition, the liver and kidney markers of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea and creatinine significantly increased. This study concludes that exposure to methanol causes oxidative stress by altering the oxidant/antioxidant balance in lymphoid organs of the rat.

Formaldehyde from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde
Note it says "The European Union has decided on the date September 22, 2007 to ban Formaldehyde use throughout Europe, because of its carcinogenic properties." (further investigation needed)

"Formaldehyde based solutions are used in embalming to disinfect and temporarily preserve human remains pending final disposition. It is the ability of formaldehyde to fix the tissue that produces the tell-tale firmness of flesh in an embalmed body. While other, heavier aldehydes also produce a similar firming action, none approaches the completeness of formaldehyde. Several European countries restrict the use of formaldehyde, including the import of formaldehyde-treated products and embalming, and the European Union is considering a complete ban on formaldehyde usage (including embalming), subject to a review of List 4B of the Technical Annex to the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the Evaluation of the Active Substances of Plant Protection Products by the European Commission Services. Countries with a strong tradition of embalming corpses, such as Ireland and other colder weather countries, have raised concerns.

"The European Union has decided on the date September 22, 2007 to ban Formaldehyde use throughout Europe, because of its carcinogenic properties.

Occupational exposure to formaldehyde by inhalation is mainly from three types of sources: thermal or chemical decomposition of formaldehyde-based resins, formaldehyde emission from aqueous solutions (for example, embalming fluids), or the production of formaldehyde resulting from the combustion of a variety of organic compounds (for example, exhaust gases). Formaldehyde can be toxic, allergenic, and carcinogenic. Because formaldehyde resins are used in many construction materials, formaldehyde is one of the more common indoor air pollutants. At concentrations above 0.1 ppm in air, formaldehyde can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, resulting in watery eyes. If inhaled, formaldehyde at this concentration may cause headaches, a burning sensation in the throat, and difficulty breathing, as well as triggering or aggravating asthma symptoms. Formaldehyde is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and as having sufficient evidence that formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The United States Environmental Protection Agency USEPA allows no more than 0.016 ppm formaldehyde in the air in new buildings constructed for that agencyFormaldehyde can cause allergies, and is part of the standard patch test series. People with formaldehyde allergy are advised to avoid formaldehyde-releasing chemicals as well (e.g. Quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, and diazolidinyl urea).